Members’ Meeting and agm

You’re invited to our Members’ Meeting and AGM next Thursday.

All about touringTop of this meeting agenda is an update on Touring from Val Ballance, the Arts Council’s Head of Venues. A discussion about the usefulness and take-up of Tourbook and other touring resources will follow. Now that we’re in a festival, programming and touring time of the year, we’d encourage all our venue, company and artist members to create their Tourbook profile easily and for free. Encourage friends and colleagues to do so as well to make this online showcasing platform a valuable resource for everyone.

Asylum-SeekersMona Considine and Vekash Khokar made the headlines last month when Vekash was deported hours after performing on the national theatre’s stage. Too late, he was informed the morning after his departure that his asylum status was being reconsidered by the Department of Justice. Over 5,000 other men, women and children seeking asylum in Ireland continue to face such difficulties daily. Mona will share her experience of Backstage Theatre supporting choreographer and dance artists in residence working with Vekash and asylum seekers living in Longford and nearby Ballaghaderreen to make and tour work nationally.

Open ForumWe’ll share plans for our autumn programme of events and training for independent artists, Payscales Research as well as our Creative Green initiative.

Please take this opportunity to raise issues of concern to you and other members, including those around funding and applications, so that we can amplify your concerns.

The Members’ Meeting will be followed by Theatre Forum’s AGM at 4pm.The regular business of the AGM, including approval of the 2017 Directors’ Report and Financial Statements, will be followed by the election of a new board director. We’re delighted to announce that Marketa Dowling is the candidate standing for election.

You might want to check that your Theatre Forum membership is up-to-date to be included on the Register of Members eligible to vote. If you are not able to attend, we’d encourage you to stay involved in Theatre Forum decision-making. Please nominate a Proxy to attend, speak and vote in your stead.